One of the mysterious and severe psychological diseases of man is anhedonia. What is it, what are the symptoms and treatment of this disorder, who falls into the risk group, the article will tell.
Anhedonia: a transcript of the concept
The very concept of "anhedonia" was introduced with the light hand of Dr. Theodyule-Arman Thibault. He proposed the term in 1886 to explain a number of symptoms inherent in hepatic encephalopathy. Later, Brailer and Kraepelin adopted it to describe the mental disorders of patients with schizophrenia.
But the concept of "anhedonia", what it is in the understanding of modern psychology and psychiatry, was justified and accepted a little later. The name itself comes from the Greek "hedonism" - pleasure. The prefix "an" speaks of denial, which means that anhedonia is an inability (medical psychology distinguishes full or partial forms) to enjoy, respectively, and the lack of desire for it. This concerns both the physical side (the pleasure of sex, food and other bodily pleasures), and the moral (the joy of certain social contacts, objects of art, favorite activities).
This disorder is a sign of an unhealthy state of the psyche and can be either a symptom or a separate disease that precedes or is adjacent to severe depression or other disorders.
Anhedonia is also associated with a violation of dopamine production - a series of hormones that cause a feeling of pleasure and / or satisfaction.
Who is at risk
Often anhedonia as a symptom occurs in patients with such pathological mental conditions:
- schizophrenia and paranoia;
- anxiety disorder and depersonalization.
The personality traits in the fact that she loses the ability to appraise herself and her position soundly, is captured by the deceptive inability to control her own actions.
Also at risk are people who have experienced very severe stress and are in the stage of severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anhedonia is also characteristic of many forms of depression, from relatively mild seasonal to clinical.
Medical psychology refers to the risk group of the disease as people who are prone to excessive self-esteem, and individuals who are not confident in themselves and their abilities.
Anhedonia can develop in former or actual drug addicts as a consequence of the fact that narcotic substances nourished the body with false dopamine, and the body of such a person stopped producing its “hormones of pleasure”.
Also, in some cases, this violation can occur after prolonged use of antipsychotics, since the side effect of almost every one of them is a decrease in dopamine production.
Anhedonia. Symptoms
The symptomatology of this disorder depends on the form and stage of the disease.
Our article is of the nature of a survey, and not a narrow medical work, so we omit anhedonia as a consequence of psychiatric diseases.
Let's talk about the disease, independent or concomitant depression.
According to the 2013 American Psychiatric Association, anhedonia is recognized as the primary symptom of diagnosing depression.
Personality features at the initial stage of the disease imply an apathetic state and a rejection of previously enjoyable activities. If we are talking about a sexually active patient, then his intimate needs become less and less, and eventually come to naught. Human activity decreases, which is understandable. If a person does not receive pleasure and satisfaction from his studies, the value and priority of these studies are reduced. Hence the next symptom - passivity and unwillingness to do something. It would seem that if a person does nothing, he does not get tired. But the next symptom of anhedonia is pathological (unhealthy) permanent (constant) fatigue. The sick person (or the sick person) does nothing, because he does not receive pleasure and satisfaction from his activities. The person is in a vicious circle, the exit from which is not expected. This gives rise to severe depression, and as another of the dangerous consequences - suicidal thoughts.
Causes of the disease
Among the causes of anhedonia, we distinguish two volume groups:
- physiological;
- psychological.
The first group includes specific physiological disorders of the body. In the vast majority of cases, these disorders are observed in the endocrine system. That is, there is a malfunction in the production of certain hormones - dopamine. In this case, both a serious examination and an integrated approach to treatment are necessary.
The psychological causes of the disease can be associated with mental disorders (psychiatry tests and various studies that we will not dwell on, because this is already an industry of deep psychiatry).
The psychological cause of the disease can be depression or severe mental stress.
Do I need to be treated?
Speaking of treatment, we mean a disease as an element of depression or an independent disorder. If we are talking about anhedonia as a symptom of mental personality disorders, the treatment of a psychiatrist is definitely necessary here.
Anhedonia can have both psychological and physical roots (see the section on the causes of the disease). Physiological, in most cases, require drug therapy, including hormone therapy. Psychological can stop with the help of a specialist and under his guidance at home. In any case, a clear diagnosis and consultation of professionals is necessary.
Anhedonia: treatment
Medicine does not stand still in the field of psychology and psychiatry.
Anhedonia - what is it? Symptom of a mental disorder, a consequence of a hormonal failure, or an independent illness. The treatment depends on the definition in each case.
The first type, as we have said, is treated by psychiatry. Patients can be socially dangerous and isolated from society.
With hormonal problems, an adequate endocrinologist intervention is necessary, since the disease can be associated with a violation of the adrenal gland or thyroid gland.
And finally, anhedonia as an independent disease. This is not necessarily a medical treatment, but it is almost always necessary to visit a psychologist.
How not to get sick
If you are mentally healthy, do not use drugs and are not at risk, this does not mean that you have no chance of getting a disease called anhedonia. What is it, we already know, the question remained open: how not to get sick?
Firstly, it is worth remembering the ability to enjoy life. Reason for joy is not so difficult to find. If you and your family are healthy, a loved one is nearby - these are reasons for joy. Have you completed your successful / not quite project? This is also a reason to rejoice, because if it is successfully completed, it will bring a reward, and if you didn’t complete it exactly as you wanted, it will be a lesson and the next step to success.
The hormones of joy - endorphins - are produced and replenished not only with the help of hormones or drug replenishment. Contemplation of the beauty of nature, communication with your favorite animals (they are especially good at rejoicing and even treating cat depression) contribute to the development of dopamine and protect you from the development of anhedonia. Do not forget about sports. Physical activity stimulates mental activity, and rest after working muscles is already a pleasure in itself.
Instead of conclusions
Psychiatry tests easily identify the disease. Also, with their help, an experienced doctor can understand what is at stake: an independent disease or a symptom of a serious mental disorder. But in no case do not confuse medical tests with psychological tests, which are replete with the network. The former are for diagnosis, and the latter are for the entertainment of readers.
Anhedonia is a disease that robs a person of joy. The ability to enjoy activities is the main source of inspiration; in its absence, a person loses the desire to do something, falls into apathy and depression. Therefore, if you notice the symptoms of the disease in yourself or your loved ones, you should immediately consult a doctor until time is lost, and with it the chances of a successful cure.